Jewish Topics

Chabad of S. Barbara is dedicated to serving all Jews throughout S. Barbara County with unconditional love, respect, and concern. Chabad is committed to promoting Jewish knowledge, awareness, and practice, strengthening Jewish identity, and affording every Jew the opportunity to experience the joy and vibrancy of his or her Jewish heritage. Chabad is devoted to providing exemplary educational, religious, and social services for young and old alike, regardless of background or affiliation.

We are the oldest and largest synagogue in Santa Barbara, a congregation rich with memories and tradition, constantly seeking new ways of engaging every one of our members in the ancient and marvelous Jewish way of life.  We cherish and honor our elders, with their deep wisdom and varied life experiences, and we are passionately devoted to our children, working unceasingly to provide them with a satisfying and enjoyable Jewish foundation that will last them for their entire lives.

Creating a community for UCSB students of Mizrahi, Middle Eastern, and/or Persian Jewish descent.

Through grassroots organizing, education, advocacy, and media, Jewish Voice for Peace work to achieve a lasting peace that recognizes the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians for security and self-determination.

Santa Barbara Hillel exists to enrich student lives so that they may enrich our community, the Jewish people, and the world. We are an independent non-profit student life organization affiliated with Hillel International. Santa Barbara Hillel enables students to connect with one another in a Jewish environment at their "Jewish Home Away From Home." We offer a safe, welcoming, and pluralistic presence as a vibrant center of student life in Isla Vista. Read our full mission and vision here. Santa Barbara Hillel is proactive in standing up for our students, building bridges, and fostering a positive campus climate. Santa Barbara Hillel is uniquely positioned to reach students at this formative time in their lives by providing them with the tools they need to help create the Jewish future.

• Student Leadership Board: We are looking for students who can work well in teams, who are interested in being a part of a leadership community and who are passionate about Jewish life at UCSB and SBCC.

(SSI) is a Pro-Israel international campus movement that supports the State of Israel. Our mission is to be a clear and confident Pro-Israel voice on college campuses and to support students in grassroots Pro-Israel advocacy.

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Federal support guarantees the Museum's permanent place on the National Mall, and its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors.

Every day of every year the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara works with hundreds of local, national and international agencies to transform lives and deliver hope, dignity and comfort to millions of people at home, in Israel and around the world—ordinary people facing extraordinary needs even in ordinary times.

UCSB Library holds various materials related to Jewish Studies, including books, databases, music recordings, videos, and more! We also have materials in a variety of languages, including but not limited to English, Hebrew, and Yiddish. 

PJ Library sends free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children 6 months through 12 years old. 

Kulanu

Different communities and individuals follow different minhagim (traditions) and versions of halacha (Jewish law), as well as different nusach (prayer and liturgy traditions). We have tried to provide a mix of perspectives, from ultra-orthodox sources like Chabad's website, to egalitarian denominations’ resources like Anshe Emet synagogue's nusach Ashkenaz mp3s, to non-denominational learning tools like Duolingo. Sometimes the same text or concept appears multiple times in this list, to allow you to choose which angle, commentary, or language you want. If you're unsure whether a resource is right for you, take time to learn about the perspective of the writer or organization.